April 2005
Cadillac STS: performance and sophisticated luxury
Cadillac’s all-new sedan STS is designed and engineered to
be one of the finest luxury sedans available, with the added benefit of
Cadillac’s distinctive modern styling. The largest car to be based on
GM’s acclaimed rear-wheel-drive Sigma architecture offers the choice of
3.6-liter V6 VVT or 4.6-litre Northstar V8 engines. STS is the product of
unwavering attention to detail, resulting in excellent fit and finish, refined
performance, overall harmony and purposeful
innovation.
Overview
From its Cadillac-signature styling to
its performance capabilities, there’s no mistaking the STS as anything but
a contemporary Cadillac. Signature items styling include vertically stacked
headlamps and light-emitting diode (LED) tail lamps, LED center high-mounted
stop light (CHMSL), horizontal “spline lines” and dihedral-shaped
hood.
With an overall length of 4985 mm, a wheelbase of 2957 mm and
front/rear track of 1596/1581 mm the STS is the largest sedan in the GM
Sigma-based family, which is also the foundation for Cadillac’s
entry-luxury CTS sedan, CTS V-series high-performance sedan and SRX luxury
performance crossover. This ensures a particularly spacious and stylish
interior, with an emphasis on high-quality fit and finish.
Premium
quality materials are used throughout. Eucalyptus wood and aluminium trim
appears on the steering wheel, center console, instrument panel and door
armrests. Dual-firmness leather seats are specially tanned for a softer feel,
with the added option of Tuscany leather upholstery. Natural grained surfaces on
the door and instrument panel ensure an inviting, tactile touch, as do the
headliner and interior pillars, which are soft backed and covered with a Monaco
woven fabric.
The STS is offered with the 189 kW (257 horsepower) 3.6L
V-6 VVT or the 239 kW (325 hp) Northstar 4.6L V-8. Both engines incorporate
variable valve timing (VVT) and are mated to Cadillac’s widely acclaimed
five-speed automatic transmissions with Driver Shift Control. The 4.6L Northstar
engine delivers 0-100 km/h acceleration in 6,2 seconds. With the V-6 the STS
will achieve 0-100 km/h in 7,4 seconds.
Four-cam variable valve timing
gives the V6 engine increased efficiency, with benefits in fuel economy, reduced
emissions and a wide-ranging flexibility. 90 percent of the 3.6L V-6’s
peak torque is available across a broad operating range: from 1600 rpm to 5800
rpm. In addition, an electronically controlled throttle (ETC) effectively
coordinates the driver’s intentions with the actions of the various
control components.
Real time damping
Integrated chassis
control technologies combine high dynamic performance with a comfortable ride,
including two-mode Magnetic Ride Control with performance or touring selections
as standard on the V8. The electronically controlled magnetic-fluid based real
time damping used on STS is the world's fastest-reacting suspension control
system. Driver involvement is further enhanced by high-precision ZF steering
gear and four-channel StabiliTrak which assists the vehicle in maintaining the
driver’s intended path by applying a brake force at any corner of the
vehicle independent of the driver’s use of the brake pedal. StabiliTrak is
fully integrated with the traction control and ABS systems.
Plentiful,
purposeful and driver oriented technical appointments include a Keyless Access
system with a push button start; optional Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and
reconfigurable four-color head-up display (HUD); heated and ventilated seats and
heated steering wheel. The STS Elegance model comes highly specified as
standard, with eight-way power seat adjustments for the driver and front
occupant including a memory package which provides presets for two drivers and
automatically adjusts the outside rear-view mirrors; power tilt and telescoping
steering wheel position, radio and climate control settings.
Additional
refinements on the special Launch Edition include the Eucalyptus wood trim
package, heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel, power lumbar
adjustment on the front seats and an uplevel infotainment system, with a 15
speaker Bose 5.1 Surround Sound system with an integrated six-disc CD/DVD
changer, an 8-inch (203 mm) VGA quality touch screen, Bluetooth capability,
advanced voice recognition and an advanced navigation system.
Early in
2006, a high-performance Cadillac STS-V will also join the model line-up. This
features a 4.4-liter DOHC Northstar V-8 SC engine with a positive displacement
intercooled supercharger, the first supercharger ever on a production Cadillac
delivering the highest horsepower rating of any production Cadillac engine to
date.
The Cadillac STS is being built alongside its CTS, CTS-V and SRX
stablemates at GM’s state-of-the-art Lansing Grand River assembly center
in Michigan. The facility recently received a J.D Power Gold Plant Award and was
ranked the best assembly plant in North and South America in the 2004 J.D Power
Initial Quality Study, in which Cadillac was voted number one amongst the
toughest global luxury competition.